Compare towns
Washington vs Strafford vs Peru
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Washington has grown the fastest since 2010 (+4.3%).
Strafford has the most expensive homes ($431k median).
Peru has the most affordable homes ($141k median).
What matters to you?
Pick a few. We’ll pull those rows to the top and mark which town comes out ahead on each. There’s no overall score: what matters is up to you.
| Measure | Washington | Strafford | Peru |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 1,624Highest |
1,372Lowest |
1,501 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +4.3%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
-0.4% U.S.: +7.4% |
-3.4%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 48.2±6.7 24% above U.S. |
51.4±4.7Highest 32% above U.S. |
48±7.6Lowest 23% above U.S. |
| Strafford and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 14.2%±4Lowest U.S.: 22% |
23%±5.2Highest U.S.: 22% |
20.8%±4 U.S.: 22% |
| Strafford and Peru are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 21.3%±4.3Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
22.1%±3.4Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
21.7%±3.8 U.S.: 17.2% |
| Strafford and Peru are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 17.3%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
53.3%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
21.7% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3%±1.7Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
5.1%±2.6Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
3.5%±1.9 U.S.: 6.4% |
| Strafford and Peru are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $59,861±$17kLowest 26% below U.S. |
$110,833±$19kHighest 37% above U.S. |
$66,827±$19k 17% below U.S. |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $195,200±$36k 41% below U.S. |
$431,300±$40kHighest 30% above U.S. |
$141,300±$38kLowest 58% below U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,036±$322 27% below U.S. |
$1,125±$789Highest 20% below U.S. |
$723±$16Lowest 49% below U.S. |
| Strafford and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $2,286 27% below U.S. |
$7,149Highest 129% above U.S. |
$1,799Lowest 42% below U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 55.3%±62.8Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
44.6%±48 U.S.: 51.1% |
21.7%±37.5Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Washington and Strafford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 15.3%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
5.2%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
9.2% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 92.5%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
88.9%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
90.2% U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1987Highest 7 yrs newer than U.S. |
1980 same as U.S. |
1974Lowest 6 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 32 minHighest 21% above U.S. |
23 minLowest 13% below U.S. |
29 min 10% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 14.6%±5.9 U.S.: 15.1% |
16.1%±4.3Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
9.2%±4Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Strafford and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Schools | |||
| School district | RSU 40/MSAD 40 | Strafford School District | RSU 56 |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | None in town |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in History | None yet | None yet | None yet |
U.S. average · Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024; 2010 & 2020 decennial census; NCES Common Core of Data. “±” is the Census margin of error. Property tax is top-coded by the Census at $10,000+. School rank compares math and reading proficiency against the state average.